Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Baybayin Unicode Converter

UPDATE:  

Outdated tech, Adobe Flash no longer functions. 

 

So you saw your Filipino friends using Baybayin (a.k.a. Alibata to the uninformed) characters on Facebook and you wondered how they do that, right? Well, if you're not that tech savvy - here is the secret: it's called Unicode.

This typepad application converts typed text to the Baybayin Unicode character equivalent and vice versa.

If the application below doesn't load, try this link: Baybayin Unicode Converter Typepad Page


BMF UNICODE MONO FONT IS REQUIRED BY THIS APPLICATION TO DISPLAY THE GLYPHS CORRECTLY: 

TIPS & USES:
  • To type Baybayin Unicode, select the "TYPE Baybayin Unicode" option from the drop-down menu on the top-left of the app.
  • There are 2 Typing modes; the x Mode automatically types a virama below each character making them stand alone consonants, while the a Mode types syllable characters with the default 'a' vowel sound. Depending on which mode you use, typing vowels or kudlit marks after each character alters the default 'a' or cancels an auto-typed virama.
  • The ·· check-box allows double kudlit marks that repeats a same-vowel syllable. It is automatically unchecked after each double kudlit is typed.
  • After typing in Baybayin Unicode characters, you can highlight your characters and copy (simply click on the ⇩ copy button) then paste & post the glyphs in Facebook or forums or anywhere else on the web for that matter.
  • Anyone with a web browser that is set up to view UTF8 and have a Unicode compliant font installed in their computer that has Baybayin characters in the appropriate range (Tagalog range: U+1700–U+171F), would be able to see the Baybayin characters you posted.
  • To configure your browser to view Unicode: http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/su/mideast/encyclopedia/browsers.html
  • To convert Baybayin Unicode to text, select the "READ Baybayin Unicode" option on the drop-down menu, copy then paste the characters you wish to convert onto the text area, then click the "conv" button.
  • You can scroll up or down on the text area using your mouse wheel.
  • To learn more about how to write in baybayin, please visit this - list of pertinent Baybayin links.
  • Unicode compliant Baybayin Fonts:
    Morrow's Fonts - Sarisari etc...
    Baybayin Modern Fonts -
    Download Page

Limitations:
  • Type using your keyboard at a normal speed, not too quick as network lag can slow down processing and will end up skipping characters.
  • The app only converts every text character typed the end of the word/sentence, letters inserted in between other characters will not be converted.

Warning! This is not a translator application. Do not rely on this tool for correct spelling and transliteration. This is a free-form learning tool. Unless you're already proficient with Filipino languages and Baybayin script, transcribing is best left to professionals.
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Tuesday, June 08, 2010

Download Free Modern Baybayin Fonts

Download Free Baybayin Modern Fonts

PLEASE GO TO THE DOWNLOAD PAGE FOR A MORE UPDATED LIST.

Download Free Baybayin Modern Fonts

Note: even though the style of these fonts are modern, you can still use it to write in the traditional way.

The updated font files are hosted in deviantART. If you download them from any other font-collective websites, keep in mind that they may not be the most up-to-date version of the file.

In the deviantART page for each font, look for the download link in either the text description or the download arrow button located at the upper-right side of the page.



FAQ: How to install these fonts on your computer? Click Here for Answer

All of Nordenx Baybayin Modern Fonts are for personal and non-commercial use only. Please contact me at nordenx@yahoo.com for any inquiries about commercial use in publications or electronic applications.

To try-out any of these fonts before you download them, use this typepad: Baybayin Fonts Typepad

Previews & Download Locations of available fonts:


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Bern-Font-253861545


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Tanso-Font-241218356


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Alemania-Font-241209530


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Alphabeta-Font-241191137


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Club-Font-231829356


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Ringo-Font-221118715


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Jepoy-Font-231576002


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Gana-Font-225516266


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Kana-Font-184288362


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Damo-Font-184637586


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Sinta-Font-150968942


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Mono-Font-150969288


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Mindoro-Font-149015455


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Batbayin-Modern-Brush-Font-148846227


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Divine-Font-148108328


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Modern-Sulat-Font-147024184


Download this font set from: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/40485497/


Download this font set from: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/40485871/


Download this font set from: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/40485989/


Download this font set from: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/40486111/


Download this font set from: http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/58810506/

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Mangyan Fonts:

Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Mangyan-Hanunoo-Postma-Font-252407086


Download this new font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Mangyan-Hanunoo-Brush-Font-169880405


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Mangyan-Hanunoo-Font-149145096

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Kapampangan Fonts:


Download this font set from: http://nordenx.deviantart.com/art/Baybayin-Pamagkulit-Font-246309064

Watch this video tutorial on "How to type Kapampangan script (Kulitan) vertically in Microsoft Word using the Pamagkulit Font inside a table." Please watch it in Full Screen Mode to see the details:



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~How to install these fonts on your computer:


The fonts are in compressed (.zip files). The latest Operating Systems (OS) are now able to open these in their own folders when you click on the file. If your computer is older and unable to open these files, then you will need a utility such as WinZip or WinRar to uncompress them. Download a free evaluation version of WinZip or WinRar.

Each zip file contains the true type font file (.ttf) and a text file (.rtf) that contains aditional info about the font and its use & features; please read it.

You can extract (uncompress) the font file directly to your C:\WINDOWS\Fonts folder if you want or you can extract it to a temporary folder then follow the font installation instructions can be found at MyFonts.com or from Paul Morrow's Site.

For Windows 7 / Vista users:
  • Right-click the font file(s) and choose Install.
For users of the previous Windows versions:
  • Copy the included file(s) into a default Windows font folder (usually C:\WINDOWS\FONTS or C:\WINNT\FONTS)
For Mac:
  • Expand any compressed fonts packages.
  • Double-click the icon of the font file you want to install. The Font Book will open and display the font so you can preview it.
  • By default, the application installs the font in the Library folder of your home directory, making it available only to you. To make it available to all users on the computer, from the Font Book menu, select Preferences... , and then change the "Default Install Location:" from User to Computer.
  • Click Install Font.

A Note On Baybayin Styles and Names
Although there are many forms of the baybayin, it must be remembered that they are not unique to the languages that share their names. That is to say, the baybayin, like our modern alphabet, can be written or printed in many ways and each style can be used to write in any language. Just as italic printing is not only for Italian, a so-called Tagalog baybayin is not just for Tagalog or a supposed Ilokano script only for Ilokano etc.
The baybayin is a single writing system. The confusion between the forms of the baybayin and various Filipino languages may be due to historical circumstances or just sloppy reporting on the part of some historians. For example, the typeface chosen by Father Francisco Lopez in 1620 to print the Ilokano version of the Doctrina Christiana looks different to the one used in the Tagalog version of 1593 but they are both just two styles of the one baybayin. However, the Lopez typeface has since come to be mistaken in some circles as the “Ilokano alphabet” simply because it was used most notably in an Ilokano book.
Other forms of the baybayin such as Bikol and Bisaya have similar histories. Their origins can be traced only as far back as certain modern printed documents of the Spanish era that were written in their respective languages – their particular styles originating in the artistry of the authors. – PAUL MORROW


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Ukyabít - a Baybayin card game!



This is a radical Filipino alphasyllabary card game where you learn to use Baybayin script characters to build simple two to four syllable Tagalog words. Ukyabít is a revolutionary new and fun approach to word puzzle card games and language learning.

You can purchase your own copy of the First Edition Ukyabít here - www.thegamecrafter.com

It's not complicated but don't think it's simple. 

  • First, you have to know the Filipino language and Tagalog syllabary.
  • Next, you have to learn how use Baybayin script to build two to four syllable Filipino words.
  • And of course you have to employ some strategy to get those high scores.
Intimidated yet? I hope not. It's challenging but fun to learn with a group of friends and the more you get used to the game, the better and more exciting it becomes. Hopefully, these games that I make for you folks will give you a reason to pick up Baybayin once again

Enjoy!

Sunday, June 06, 2010

Baybayin Puzzles

I found that these two popular word puzzle formats are good teaching tools and learning exercises and would work well with Baybayin. Thus, I will  include a bunch of them in my book.


Baybayin Crossed-Scripts Puzzle is a revolutionary new approach to crosswords puzzle solving and language learning. Baybayin Crosswords uses the established crossword puzzle format loved by millions worldwide; however, the clues are given in English whereas the answers must be completed using Filipino words (Tagalog, Ilocano, Bisaya, etc.) written in  Baybayin script's syllabic characters. This puzzle challenges the person's language translation, word knowledge, script handwriting, Filipino phonetics and syllabary skills.

Click on the image to view its actual size.

You may print it using your printer and distribute the copies and share the link back to this blog freely. However, you may not use these images for commercial purposes or publications without prior consent.



Baybayin Script Word-Finder is another radically unique modification to the classic word-finder puzzle that dramatically improves Baybayin character recognition and reading comprehension.  Baybayin Word-Finder has a similar format from the original version of the simple word-finder game that almost every grade-school child in the world is familiar with; however, instead of forming words by finding their corresponding alphabet letters, you have to formulate words using alphasyllabary. This puzzle challenges the person's Baybayin reading, Filipino phonetics, and syllabary skills.

Click on the image to view its actual size.

You may print it using your printer and distribute the copies and share the link back to this blog freely. However, you may not use these images for commercial purposes or publications without prior consent.




UPDATE:
As recent research in typography & design came to light, the glyphs for E & I have been switched in all my fonts. The E & I in these puzzles remain as the old glyph assignment above. They will not be the same in future puzzles.

UPDATE: Solutions to the puzzles above are now available.

 
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